Quanzhou National Intangible Cultural Heritage Project | Quanzhou Puppet Troupe (3028)

| Quanzhou Puppet Troupe (3028). The history of Quanzhou Puppet Troupe dates back to the 1950s. Its development journey combines the preservation and innovation of traditional art, making it an important representative of Chinese marionette puppetry.

In October and December 1952, Quanzhou Cultural Center established the "Quanzhou Puppet Experimental Troupe" and "Quanzhou Puppet Art Troupe" respectively, operating as "privately-run with public assistance" to integrate local marionette puppet artists.

In March 1956, the Quanzhou municipal government (county-level city) merged the two troupes to form the state-owned "Quanzhou Puppet Experimental Troupe," marking systematic official support for traditional arts.

In April 1960, the troupe further merged with the "Quanzhou Glove Puppet Troupe" and expanded into the "Quanzhou Puppet Theater." In August 1972, it was renamed "Quanzhou Puppet Troupe," becoming a state-funded professional arts group directly under Quanzhou City.

The troupe is located at 24 Tongzheng Lane, Quanzhou, where it also maintains a cultural relics exhibition hall. Its core mission is to preserve marionette puppetry, maintaining over 700 traditional plays including "Complete Mulian Rescues His Mother," more than 300 "puppet tunes," and ancient musical instrument techniques such as "foot drums" and "gong and cymbals," while preserving the "Tang and Song dynasty style" carving craftsmanship.

Building on tradition, the troupe has innovated puppet design, string arrangements, and stage formats, pioneering "high platform" and "human-puppet integration" stage styles to enhance artistic expression. Their repertoire spans mythology, history, and modern dramas, with works like "Flaming Mountain," "Monkey Taming," and "Ancient Art, New Form, Living Puppets" that preserve traditional elements while incorporating modern aesthetics.

The troupe has won numerous international awards, including second prize at the Romanian International Puppet Festival (1950s), Special Group Award at the Croatian International Puppet Festival (2000s), and China's "Wenhua New Play Award" in 2002 for "Ancient Art, New Form, Living Puppets."

Since 1960, the troupe has performed in nearly 40 countries and regions worldwide, including at the United Nations Headquarters, the 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony, and CCTV Spring Festival Galas, serving as an "ambassador" of Chinese culture in international exchanges.

Post by BROOKLYNN RIVERA | Apr 25, 2025